Hey, Denver had the hardest schedule of any team this year. They dominated every team that they played. Every game was magnificent. Denver is battle tested, and will roll in the playoffs. They're going to win it all!!!!

This is what it's all about. Coming in as the underdog has its advantages:

1. The pressure is not on you. And we all know how well Manning performs under pressure...
2. You're not the one who's expected to win, so if you lose... oh well, "it was in the cards"
3. Let the media hype the opponent. Gets our players even more fueled and pumped up, playing with a chip on their shoulder, while your opponents lays back and 'enjoys' all the attention.

Anyone remembers Superbowl XLII? We went 18-0, and everyone said we will shred the Giants and go to be the first 19-0 team in the history of the NFL.... anyone remembers how that game ended? IIRC, it wasn't Brady hoisting the Lombardi trophy....

This is what it's all about. Coming in as the underdog has its advantages:

1. The pressure is not on you. And we all know how well Manning performs under pressure...
2. You're not the one who's expected to win, so if you lose... oh well, "it was in the cards"
3. Let the media hype the opponent. Gets our players even more fueled and pumped up, playing with a chip on their shoulder, while your opponents lays back and 'enjoys' all the attention.

Anyone remembers Superbowl XLII? We went 18-0, and everyone said we will shred the Giants and go to be the first 19-0 team in the history of the NFL.... anyone remembers how that game ended? IIRC, it wasn't Brady hoisting the Lombardi trophy....
Let the media stroke Manning's shaft.... I'll be sitting on my sofa, licking my chops, enjoying his choke...

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The Patriots were favorites 19 times that season, and they won 18 of them. The idea that being the favorite in the SB was an issue is absurd.

Being favorite to win a regular season game, and being a favorite to win it all in the Superbowl, are two completely different things.

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No, they're not. Furthermore, the Patriots were favored against both Jacksonville and San Diego in those playoffs, and they won those games. Again, the idea that being the favorite in the SB was an issue is absurd.